Knife killer Michael Robson must wait to learn if he will walk free from a life prison term.

Robson, of North Shields, has spent the past 11 years behind bars for almost slicing off his sister's nose and stabbing his best friend to death.

As reported in yesterday's Chronicle, Robson's defence team went to London's Appeal Court to challenge the murder conviction on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

After hearing the challenge, judges adjourned the case until October to enable a pre-sentence and at least two psychiatric reports to be prepared on Robson.

Lord Justice Rix, sitting with Mrs Justice Cox and Sir Michael Wright, agreed the court would ask the experts to express their opinions on the basis that the murder conviction is quashed and replaced with one of manslaughter, because of diminished responsibility.

Robson, 35, formerly of Waterville Road, was jailed for life at Newcastle Crown Court in October 1996 after being found guilty of murdering Robert "Skinny" Williamson and of wounding Robson's then 24-year-old sister, Lisa, with intent.

Mr Williamson , 27, died after Robson plunged a serrated-edged knife into him following an argument in Avon Drive, North Shields, in June 1995.

The prosecution claimed Robson was in a violent and aggressive state and upset because his friend had previously taken a gun from him which he had intended to use to kill himself.

At his trial, Robson's defence to the murder charge centred on provocation and diminished responsibility.

The appeal by Michael Turner, QC, for Robson, related to the direction given by the trial judge to the jury in relation to diminished responsibility.

In 2003, more than six years after the trial, such a direction was ruled to be incorrect in law.

After the three judges heard the case yesterday and discussed it among themselves, Lord Justice Rix returned to the court to ask Mr Turner what he proposed the next steps should be.

The QC asked for it to be adjourned, so the court could obtain reports from psychiatrists - including the doctor who is seeing Robson in jail - on the possibility of making an order under the Mental Health Act.

He also suggested they give their opinions on the danger presented by Robson, adding that a pre-sentence report should also be obtained from a probation officer.

Mr Turner said the possibility of a condition relating to psychiatric care should be canvassed, adding Robson had served 11 years so far in jail. Ben Nolan, QC for the Crown, said if the murder conviction was quashed the Crown would not apply for a new trial.

He said the Crown considered the future risk of Robson as being relevant to the case.